An Italian goalkeeper, who
has spent most of his career in England, Carlo Cudicini
has had a chequered time since joining Tottenham in
January 2009.

Being
the son of former AC Milan goalkeeper Fabio Cudicini,
his career path was probably set for him and he began at
his father's club, although he only made two appearances
in the Champions League in his four years at the club.
Being loaned out to Como for the 1993-94 season gave
Cudicini the chance to get some games under his belt,
but spent a year back at Milan not getting a game before
he was sold to Prato in 1995. Spent only a season
there, before moving on to Lazio, where he only made one
appearance, due to a broken wrist and a knee injury limiting his
availability. In 1997, he joined Castel Di Sangro,
but once more injured restricted his appearances, so he
was sold to Chelsea in 1999 for £160,000.

He took the goalkeeper's
gloves from Ed de Goey and performed so well, that he
became the regular keeper and a fan's favourite until
further injury problems affected his 2003-04 season,
with Petr Cech being signed by new manager Jose Mourinho
the following season, which kept him out of the side for
long periods after that time. In October 2006,
Cech suffered a serious head injury at Reading and
Cudicini came on for his team-mate, but had to leave the
field with a head injury himself when he was knocked
unconscious. Mourinho over-looked Carlo for the goalkeeper's
position, preferring his own Portuguese signing Hilario. However, having
conceded a number of goals, Cudicini took over between
the posts after a month and stayed in the first team
until Cech's return in January 2007. Achieved a
reputationa s a penalty saver when he stopped six of the
12 penalties conceded by Chelsea in the 2005-06 season.

At the start of the
2007-08 season, Cech became injured and Cudicini came in
to hold the number one spot until he was injured and he
had to wait until February to get his place back, when
Cech sustained another injury. Following a
Champions League game against Fenerbahce, Carlo's season
was finished with a leg injury. He got only a
couple of matches in the 2008-09 season, including the
Third Round FA Cup tie against Southend United, which
turned out to be his last game for the Pensioners, as he
was signed by Spurs on a free transfer, granted to him
for his ten years of service, during which the Daily
Telegraph had labelled him the "most un-ambitious player
in football" in 2008 for the lack of games he had played
since 2004 with the West London club, without seeking a
transfer to a club where he would have the opportunity
to establish himself as the number one keeper.

Drafted straight into the
team after signing on a free transfer from Chelsea,
Cudicini produced some good solid performances while Heurelho
Gomes was out injured, but the Brazilian's return to
form restricted Carlo to few opportunities.
However, in November 2009, he was involved in a road
traffic accident while riding a motor-bike back from
training and suffered two broken wrists and a fractured
pelvis. His career was thought to be in the
balance, but his operations went well and the surgeon
thought he would be able to recover and play again.

Made his comeback in
pre-season 2010-2011 and got back into the first team
when Heurelho Gomes picked up an injury in the second
leg of the Champions League qualifier against Young Boys
of Bern and kept his place, but Spurs signed Croatia
keeper Stipe Pletikosa on loan for the season to offer
more competition to the Italian.

When Brad Friedel and
then Hugo Lloris were signed in 2010 and 2012, Carlow as
pushed further down the pecking order and really only
got a look in during cup matches against weaker
opposition and then even those games dried up, so the
club allowed him to leave to join LA Galaxy on 31st
December 2012.

Played at junior levels
for Italy, but the closest he has got to a full cap is
being on the bench for the side against a game with
Turkey in 2002. Because of his time spent in
England he is eligible to play for the England national
side, but despite rumours of being called up in Sven-Goran
Eriksson's time in charge, he has never been selected
for a squad.

Has a long-term
girlfriend in Alessia Marcuzzi, an Italian actress and
TV personality.

Supported AC
Milan as a child.
Would choose Barack Obama as his flight companion on a plane.
Is a competitive dad.
Had a Rottweiler dog Ludwig.
His favourite newspaper is Gazzetta Dello Sport.
Enjoys playing tennis and golf, which is his passion. Played
volleyball at school.
His biggest influence is his father, Fabio, who played in goal for AC
Milan. His grandfather was also a footballer - a defender for
Ponziana Trieste.
Always wears jeans.
Likes Bon Jovi and Queen.
Enjoyed family skiing holidays in the Alps as a youngster.
Is well travelled and has been to Peru ( a walking holiday through the
mountains on the Inca Trail), South Africa, India, Israel and America,
among others.
Is taking piano lessons.
Enjoys reading art, history or photography books.
Most memorable game was for Castel Di Sangro in the first game of the
season at home to recently relegated Ascoli. Carlo saved
everything that was thrown at him, including a penalty.
Likes to drive and his favourite cars are the Mini and the BMW M6.
Favourite TV shows are "Prison Break" and "24".
Has a pilot's licence.